In honor of Juneteenth, journalist Jericka Duncan will host a special marathon of BET’s “America In Black” series, featuring notable Black figures such as Michael B. Jordan, LL Cool J, and Taraji P. Henson. Catch the marathon on the free CBS News app starting at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, June 19.
Antentor Hinton Jr., a native of Asheville, North Carolina, had no idea that becoming a scientist was within his reach during his childhood. However, everything changed during his sophomore year of college when he received a life-altering phone call in 2007.
His childhood friend, Cameron Underwood, a popular student and football star who had taken Hinton under his wing during their challenging school years, tragically passed away in his sleep at the young age of 18. Underwood, who was in excellent health and played football in college, succumbed to neuroblastoma, a maladapted tumor, according to Hinton.
Moved by this experience, Hinton expressed his desire to conduct research in order to develop drugs that could truly make a difference.
The next step was finding a community of researchers and mentors who could support his journey, which proved to be a challenge in a field where only 9% of STEM professionals are Black. One of Hinton’s mentors was Dr. E. Dale Abel, an endocrinologist who showed him that a Black man could excel and lead in his own division. Hinton went on to earn his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Baylor College of Medicine.
Now, as an assistant professor of molecular physiology and biophysics at Vanderbilt University, Hinton not only focuses on his research but also raises awareness about diversity in science. In a recent article published in the scientific journal Cell, Hinton and 51 other Black scientists discussed the role of Juneteenth in the scientific community and the barriers faced by Black scientists.
In an interview with CBS News, Hinton shed light on the struggles encountered by Black scientists, including the lack of recognition for awards and disparities in funding rates, as well as the history of racism in science and research.
CBS NEWS: Why is addressing diversity issues in science important?
HINTON: It is crucial because currently, scientists do not consider ethnicity as a factor in their research. This means that studies on diseases like heart disease primarily focus on individuals of European backgrounds. People from Latin, Asian, or Black backgrounds are not as inclusively studied, resulting in an incomplete national perspective. Additionally, certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, often lack representation from the Black community in research studies. This limits our understanding of the differences and similarities between ethnicities and how medicines may benefit different populations.
CBS NEWS: How can Black scientists help address this issue?
HINTON: The involvement of Black scientists, especially within their own communities, is highly significant. Including diverse individuals in research can lead to numerous clinical benefits. There have been studies that show when Black doctors provide healthcare to Black individuals, the likelihood of positive outcomes increases. This conversation needs to be at the forefront.
CBS NEWS: The article in Cell mentions the historic mistrust between the Black community and the medical and scientific communities. How did this come about?
HINTON: The origin of this mistrust stems from a history of using Black bodies without consent for various types of medical experimentation. For example, much of the early gynecological literature was based on studies conducted on enslaved individuals. Furthermore, the lack of representation of Black bodies in medical textbooks and misdiagnosis on Black skin compared to lighter skin raises distrust within the community. This distrust leads to reluctance in participating in studies and advocating for better health, as the community may not know who to trust.
CBS NEWS: What steps can be taken to address these issues?
HINTON: We need to proactively recruit Black participants for scientific studies from the community. This can be achieved by collaborating with community leaders and utilizing spaces like churches, barbershops, and beauty salons to engage potential participants. It is essential to listen to and involve the Black community in these efforts. Furthermore, we must highlight the existence and accomplishments of Black scientists to inspire future generations. The article serves as a celebration of progress since Juneteenth and outlines recommendations for the future.
CBS NEWS: What does the future hold?
HINTON: It is crucial to promote and amplify the voices of Black investigators studying diseases that impact Black and similar communities. Diversity and innovation go hand in hand, as different perspectives lead to more comprehensive outcomes. This is also true for women who bring unique experiences and insights to scientific discussions. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that diverse voices are heard and that science embraces thoughtful and diverse approaches.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
